If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart. Lao Tzu

When I heard, today, that the Norwegian Nobel Committee had awarded the 2014 peace prize to Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan and Kailash Satyarthi of India, I was thrilled. Both of these Warriors of Peace have worked tirelessly, (Malala almost lost her life), to bring the plight of children and youth rights to the forefront. Malala, a courageous 17 year old teenager from Pakistan, is the youngest recipient of this prestigious award. Last year, she wrote a memoir, I am Malala, documenting her personal ordeal and journey to the Peace movement. In honoring her achievement today, Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General shared this comment: “With her courage and determination, Malala has shown what terrorists fear most: a girl with a book.” I congratulate these two champions of children’s rights as they represent the future of the movement to bring global peace to regions around the world.

“If with my humble efforts the voice of tens of millions of children in the world who are living in servitude is being heard, congratulations to all,” Mr. Satyarthi

“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.” Black Elk

Kailash Satyarthi, a 60 year old anti-child slavery activist who has battled for three decades to end child labor in India, lives across the divide that separates India from Pakistan and has devoted his life campaigning to ban child labor and free children from trafficking. Even though many of us might not be familiar with Kailash Satyarthi’s name and work, others speak highly of his sacrifices. Mr. Jagland, Chair of the Nobel Prize Committee, said it well with this comment: “Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain,” “He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights.”

Both will share the $1.1 million prize equally as they deserve to, and it is my wish that they will continue to get global support for the work they do. Congratulations again to these noble Nobel Prize winners! What are your thoughts on these two advocates for peace?

More below!

“The Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful message. A durable peace is not a single achievement, but an environment, a process and a commitment.” Mohamed ElBaradei

While there are some who are furious over the celebration of Malala’s achievement, and the recognition of Mr Satyarthi’s three decades of relentless effort for the voiceless, the rest of us are reminded that, it takes courage and the determination of those who refuse to be silenced, to achieve change in our world. At 15 years of age, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban militant and left for dead. She lived. Years earlier, Satyarthi was viciously attacked for his work to save poor children and almost died. He lived. Each of us can make an effort to speak out from our homes, schools, and workplaces without sacrificing our lives. We can do our bit to defend the defenseless. As Malala aptly said; “This award is for all those children who are voiceless, whose voices need to be heard,” … “I speak for them, and I stand up with them.” Are you ready to stand up for something? What does peace mean to you? How do you serve your community to bring about peace?

She is amazing! So happy for her and the world. I like this quote: “With her courage and determination, Malala has shown what terrorists fear most: a girl with a book.” Ban Ki-moon, United Nations secretary general. Very inspiring 🙂

Yes, Debbie! Glad to shift directions for a minute and celebrate with those who continue to raise the level of positive activism in the world. The other stories are valid but depressing… Congrats to Malala and Kailash!

Reblogged this on newfoundlandtraveller and commented:
All of us need to work for peace. Each in his own way. Within homes. In communities. Between communities. Within countries. Between countries. Respect and love are at the core of peace. We all have voices to share with others.

I am so happy that this girl of extreme courage won the Nobel Peace Prize. I hope she inspires other girls and women where ever they may be to speak out for themselves and get that much needed education. I salute her bravery!!